Routine mammograms can detect breast cancer before it spreads.
1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life.1
The good news is that survival rates for breast cancer have been going up due to increased awareness and advances in screening. Routine exams and screenings can help detect breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and more likely to be cured.2
Our resources below can teach you about early detection and prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer
Knowing the facts about breast cancer can help you catch it early and reduce your risk.Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. It occurs when abnormal cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, invading surrounding tissue. About 80% of breast cancer cases spread to other areas of the body.3
About 85% of breast cancer cases occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.4 Most of the time, breast cancer happens due to cell mutations as a result of aging, rather than genetics.
Some other breast cancer risk factors include:5
- Being born female
- Being age 55 or older
- Family history and genetics, like gene mutations involving the BRCA genes
- Having dense breast tissue
- Starting menstruation early or having late menopause
- Using tobacco or drinking alcohol
- Obesity
- Radiation exposure, especially around the chest or head
- Getting hormone replacement therapy
- Never having children or having first child after age 30
- Taking certain types of hormonal birth control
Every woman may have different symptoms of breast cancer. The most common include:2
- A lump in or near your breast or in your underarm, which can feel as small as a pea
- Nipple pain, retraction, or discharge
- Change in size or breast shape
- Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, scaling, thickened, dimpling, puckering, or inflamed
It’s important to have any breast changes checked by a healthcare provider.
There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk, like maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
If you have an increased risk of breast cancer — such as a strong family history or a known inherited gene mutation — there are some things you can consider that might help lower your chances of developing breast cancer or help find it early. These options include genetic counseling and testing, preventive surgery, close observation through more frequent provider visits and screenings, and/or risk lowering-medications. Your healthcare provider can assess your risks and help determine whether any of these options might be right for you.

Screening and Early Detection
The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. The following are recommended for finding breast cancer early in women at average risk:
- Clinical Breast Exam: During your well-woman exam, your healthcare provider will check for any changes in the breasts, like lumps, bumps, or other abnormalities to help detect potential issues early.
- Monthly Self-Exams: All women should perform a monthly self-exam at home to get to know how your breasts normally look and feel, which makes it easier to notice changes. Providers often recommend doing self-exams the week after your menstrual period, or at a consistent time each month if you’re postmenopausal. If you notice any changes during your self-exams, contact your provider right away.
Learn how to conduct a breast self-exam - Screening Mammograms: Women ages 40 to 74 should get a mammogram every two years, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. A mammogram is an x-ray that can detect signs of breast cancer before symptoms appear. They typically take about 20 minutes, and, while it might be uncomfortable, regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.6,7
Mammograms are important screening tools, but they have limits. They can miss cancer or show abnormalities that are not cancer.
If any screenings are abnormal, you may need an ultrasound or biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. Talk with your provider about your risk factors and personal screening recommendations.
Annual well-woman exams and routine screening mammograms are covered at 100% under the Compass Rose Health Plan when performed by an in-network provider.